Minister says 'rip-off' website damaging tourism

The Minister for Tourism John O'Donoghue has said that persistent claims of a rip-off culture in Ireland are doing great damage to the tourist industry.

Minister O'Donoghue said he does not believe the claims of widespread profiteering, and that the image of the Irish as a greedy nation is a false one.

Fine Gael has been leading the charge against price rises, with an online campaign aimed at naming businesses who have hiked up the cost of goods and services.

The Tourism Minister said the hype surrounding retail prices has become a national obsession, which puts off potential tourists.

He has called on Fine Gael to withdraw their website "ripoff.ie".